Glucocorticoids are the first-line therapy of many neurological disorders, with the treatment regimen varying across types and characteristics of neurological disorders. This article reviews the national and international guidelines and expert consensuses in the past decade on glucocorticoids treatment for neurological disorders, and summarizes recommendations from the latest Chinese guidelines and consensuses. In summary, the most frequently used pulse therapy of glucocorticoids in China is intravenous infusion of high-dose (usually 1000 mg/d) methylprednisolone in a short period (often <5 d), followed by gradual tapering, bridging with oral prednisone or direct discontinuation. The treatment regimen for children and juveniles is similar to that for adults but the dose is adjusted by body weight. Pharmacodynamics of glucocorticoids should be considered for the treatment of perinatal women. To provide appropriate glucocorticoids treatment for patients with neurological disorders, clinicians should fully understand features of each neurological disorder and clinical characteristics of individual patient.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of both olanzapine combined with fluoxetine (combination therapy) and fluoxetine (monotherapy) for refractory depression. Methods According to the computer retrieval from PubMed (1966 to September 2009), Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009), EMbase (1974 to September 2009), SCI (1974 to September 2009), CNKI (1994 to September 2009), CBM (1978 to September 2009), CSJD (1989 to September 2009) and Wanfang Database (1997 to September 2009), and the manual retrieval from related journals and conference proceedings were conducted, to include randomized controlled trials of comparison in between olanzapine combined with fluoxetine and fluoxetine in treating refractory depression. We collected the valid data after assessing the methodology quality of included studies on the basis of Jadad scoring standard, and conducted meta-analysis with RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 7 studies with 1 230 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that, there was no significant difference between two groups about the scores of HAMA (Hamilton Anxiety Scale) at the end of the 1st week, but the olanzapine combined with fluoxetine in trial group was much better for relieving anxiety situation compared to fluoxetine in control group at the end of the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th week. In accordance with the scores of CGI (Clinical Global Impression Scale), there was no significant difference at the end of 2nd and 4th week after treatment, but there was a significant difference at the end of 8th and 12th week. As to the changes of MADRS (Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale), the trial group was much distinct than control group at the end of the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 8th week. In summary, the clinical effect of trial group was superior to that of control group, and there was no significant difference in adverse reactions between two groups (RR=1.10, 95%CI 0.99 to 1.23). Conclusion Current evidence shows that, the clinical effect and safety of olanzapine combined with fluoxetine in treating refractory depression is obviously superior to that of fluoxetine.
ObjectiveTo explore the surgical techniques of rat orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) model in rats using modified technique by single operator. MethodsA total of two hundreds cases of rats (one hundred pairs) were used to establish OLT model including eighty cases of rats (forty pairs) used in formal study by using modified Kamada “two-cuff” method, of which the key surgical procedures were further modified. Intraoperative results and postoperative recovery were analyzed. ResultsAll eighty cases of rats successfully operated. Operative time in donors was (28.5±2.4) min and reparative time of donor liver was (10.2±1.8) min. Anastomosis time for suprahepatic inferior vena cava and portal vein (15.3±1.9) min and (3.4±1.2) min, respectively. Anhepatic phase of transplant recipients was (23.8±1.9) min, anastomosis time for infrahepatic inferior vena cava was (5.1±2.1) min, and biliary reconstruction time was (3.1±0.9) min. Blood loss of donor and recipients during the operation was blew 0.5 ml. No recipient died for operation. The 2 d survival rate of recipients was 90% (36/40), three rats died of bleeding at the seam in hepatic inferior vena cava and one rat died of longer anhepatic phase. The 7 d survival rate of recipients was 82.5% (33/40), three rats died of intra-abdominal infections. ConclusionThe modification in en bloc separation of abdominal aorta and interior vena cava for abdominal aortic perfusion of donor liver, careful dissection of left subphrenic vein triangle and the hemostasis by heat coagulating can reduce operative complications, guarantee the quality of donor liver and improve the survival rate of rats in establishment of OLT model in rats using modified technique by single operator.
Objective To investigate the relationship between systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and early neurological deterioration (END) and 3-month prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods Patients with acute ischemic stroke treated at West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Deyang People’s Hospital between April 2020 and October 2020 were collected. Clinical data were collected using a unified case form and outcomes were followed up for 3 months. According to the poor prognosis, the patients were divided into END group and non-END group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship of SIRI, END and 3-month prognosis. We drew receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate the value of related factors in predicting the occurrence of END and poor prognosis after 3 months. Results A total of 242 patients were included, of which 47 (19.42%) were in the END group. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in National Institutes of Health stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission, hypertension, creatinine, urea nitrogen, neutrophils count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count/lymphocyte count ratio (NLR), lymphocyte count/monocyte count ratio, platelet count/lymphocyte count ratio, complications (besides cerebral edema) and SIRI (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that NIHSS score on admission, hypertension, SIRI and NLR were independent risk factors for END (P<0.05). SIRI had better predictive value for the occurrence of END than NLR (P<0.05). Compared with the non-END group, the patients in the END group had worse prognosis at 3-month [44.7%(21/47) vs. 17.4% (34/195), P<0.05]. NIHSS score on admission had predictive value for clinical prognosis of acute ischemic stroke patients at 3-month. Conclusion SIRI is an independent risk factor for END in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and there is no independent correlation with the 3-month prognosis.
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis bridging endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with acute cardioembolic stroke. Methods We retrospectively included patients with cardioembolic stroke who were admitted within 24 h after onset of stroke symptoms and had received EVT in the Department of Neurology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2017 and December 2021. Based on whether they had received intravenous thrombolysis, the patients were divided into bridging therapy group and direct EVT group. The primary outcome was unfavorable outcome by 3 months, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3 to 6. The secondary outcomes included intracranial hemorrhage during hospitalization and 3-month death. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the treatment effect on the primary outcome after adjusting for confounding factors. Results A total of 285 patients were enrolled. Among them, 174 (61.1%) were female, the median age was 74 years (interquartile range 64-80 years), and the median time from stroke onset to admission was 4.0 h (interquartile range 3.0-5.0 h). Compared to patients in the direct EVT group (n=202), patients in the bridging therapy group (n=83) had a lower rate of unfavorable functional outcome (55.4% vs 68.3%, P=0.039) by 3 months, while the incidences of intracranial hemorrhage (47.0% vs. 39.6%, P=0.251) and 3-month death (20.5% vs. 30.7%, P=0.080) were comparable between the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, the bridging therapy improved 3-month functional outcomes over direct EVT [odds ratio=0.482, 95% confidence interval (0.249, 0.934), P=0.031]. Conclusion In patients with acute cardioembolic stroke, intravenous thrombolysis bridging endovascular treatment can significantly improve 3-month functional outcomes without increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.
A novel structural dynamics test method and device were designed to test the biomechanical effects of dynamic axial loading on knee cartilage and meniscus. Firstly, the maximum acceleration signal-to-noise ratio of the experimental device was calculated by applying axial dynamic load to the experimental device under unloaded condition with different force hammers. Then the experimental samples were divided into non-specimen group (no specimen loaded), sham specimen group (loaded with polypropylene samples) and bovine knee joint specimen group (loaded with bovine knee joint samples) for testing. The test results show that the experimental device and method can provide stable axial dynamic load, and the experimental results have good repeatability. The final results confirm that the dynamic characteristics of experimental samples can be distinguished effectively by this device. The experimental method proposed in this study provides a new way to further study the biomechanical mechanism of knee joint structural response under axial dynamic load.
Objective To explore the clinical and imaging features of patients with acute dizziness and assess their associations with 3-month prognosis. Methods We enrolled adult patients with a chief complaint of acute dizziness, who were admitted to the Neurological Clinic at the Emergency Department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 1st and May 31st 2022. We collected clinical and imaging features at baseline for each patient. The primary outcome was recurrent dizziness within 3 months after index dizziness. Secondary outcome was stroke within 3 months after index dizziness. Results A total of 1 322 patients who visited the Neurological Clinic were included, of which 617 (46.7%) had a chief complaint of acute dizziness. Among 222 patients who performed emergent brain and neck CT angiography, 1 patient presented with intracerebral haemorrhage. Among the remaining 221 patients, 206 patients completed 3-month follow-up, with 76 patients reported recurrent dizziness and 7 patients had stroke (6 ischaemic, 1 hemorrhagic). The multivariate logistic regression showed that chronic dizziness duration and parenchymal hypodensity on brain CT were each associated with a higher risk of recurrent dizziness. Compared with those who did not report stroke, the stroke patients were more likely to present with hypertension, headache symptoms, and exhibit parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT (P<0.05). Conclusions In patients with acute dizziness, those with chronic dizziness duration and parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT were associated with a higher risk of 3-month recurrent dizziness. Acute dizziness patients experiencing 3-month stroke often have hypertension, headache symptoms, and parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT.
Objective To analyze the difference of clinical characteristics and vascular risk factors between patients with unexplained non-acute dizziness and headache, so that to bring new perspective on prevention of vascular risk factors and enhancement of symptoms among different patients. Methods The data of patients in the cerebrovascular disease clinic of the Department of Neurology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University between July 1th and September 30th, 2021 were collected retrospectively. The included patients were divided into dizziness group or headache group according to the complained. The clinical characteristics and risk factors of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 273 patients were included. There were 198 cases (72.5%) in dizziness group and 75 cases (27.5%) in headache group. Compared with headache group, patients in dizziness group were older, with a shorter course of disease, and accounted for a higher proportion of patients with symptoms related to body position, higher proportion of patients with hypertension and carotid plaque, and more vascular risk factors (P<0.05). Logistic regression results showed that patients with symptoms related to body position [odds ratio (OR)=7.025, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.772, 28.488), P=0.007], at least one [OR=2.461, 95%CI (1.298, 4.664), P=0.006], two or more vascular risk factors [OR=2.314, 95%CI (1.033, 5.186), P=0.042] were independently associated with dizziness. The longer course of disease [OR=0.994, 95%CI (0.990, 0.997), P=0.001] was independently associated with headache. Conclusion Patients with non-acute unexplained dizziness and headache, especially those with dizziness, should pay more attention to the inquiry and treatment of vascular risk factors and psychopsychological factors.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printed total scapula for reverse shoulder arthroplasty in the treatment of scapular tumors. MethodsBetween November 2017 and December 2021, 5 patients with scapular tumors were treated by reverse shoulder arthroplasty with 3D printed total scapula. There was 1 male and 4 females. The age ranged from 44 to 59 years, with an average of 50.4 years. There were 2 cases of chondro sarcoma, 1 case of high-grade osteosarcoma, 1 case of lung cancer with scapular metastasis, and 1 case of ligamentoid fibromatosis recurrence. The disease duration was 4-8 months, with an average of 5.8 months. According to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scapular girdle classification criteria, 4 cases of tumors involved both S1 and S2 zones, and 1 case involved S2 zone. The tumor diameters ranged from 4.2 to 11.2 cm, with an average of 6.1 cm. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and blood transfusion were recorded. During follow-up, the MSTS score was used to evaluate the recovery of limb function of the patients. The sink depth of the affected shoulder, complications, and oncological outcomes were observed. The position of the prosthesis was reviewed by imaging. ResultsThe operation time ranged from 155 to 230 minutes, with an average of 189 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was 100-1 500 mL, with a median of 600 mL. Two patients were received blood transfusion of 800 mL and 1 850 mL respectively during operation. All incisions healed by first intention, and no complications such as infection occurred. All patients were followed up 4-22 months, with an average of 13 months. Two patients died at 8 and 15 months after operation respectively due to multiple metastases and organ failure. At last follow-up, the MSTS score of all patients was 73%-83%, with an average of 77.4%. The affected shoulder was 2-4 cm lower than the contralateral side, with an average of 3 cm. Imaging examinations showed that no prosthesis loosening, dislocation, or fracture occurred during follow-up. Conclusion Reverse shoulder arthroplasty with 3D printed total scapula can obtain good shoulder function and appearance. Patients have high acceptance and satisfaction with this surgical method.
ObjectivesTo analyze the effect of bronchiectasis (BE) on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of hospitalized patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP), and to explore the independent risk factors affecting the 30-day mortality. MethodsA national multi-center retrospective study based on the CAP-China network platform. The clinical data of 6056 patients with CAP who were hospitalized in 13 tertiary teaching hospitals in Beijing, Shandong and Yunnan from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were collected. To compare the differences in clinical characteristics, etiological distribution and treatment prognosis of patients with CAP with bronchiectasis (BE-CAP) and patients without bronchiectasis (non-BE-CAP). Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze independent risk factors affecting 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with BE-CAP. ResultsIn the final analysis, 5880 CAP patients were included, and BE-CAP patients accounted for 10.8% (637/5880). Compared with non-BE-CAP patients, more BE-CAP patients were women, and a higher proportion of patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, previous history of glucocorticoid inhalation, and a history of CAP within 1 year. BE-CAP patients had more dyspnea and cyanosis, lower arterial partial pressure of oxygen, longer median time to clinical stability (6 d vs. 4 d, P<0.001), and the incidence of respiratory failure was significantly higher than that of non-BE-CAP patients (27.8% vs. 19.7%, P<0.001). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common bacterial infection in BE-CAP patients. Comorbid bronchiectasis has no significant effect on disease severity, total length of hospital stay, and mortality in CAP patients. The 30-day mortality rate of BE-CAP patients was 2.2%. Logistic regression analysis showed that initial treatment failure [odds ratio (OR) 6.675, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.235-10.523, P<0.001], respiratory failure (OR 5.548, 95%CI 3.681-8.363, P<0.001), blood urea nitrogen>7.0 mmol/L (OR 2.490, 95%CI 1.625-3.815, P<0.001), albumin<35.0 g/L (OR 1.647, 95%CI 1.073-2.529, P=0.022) and CURB-65 score (OR 1.691, 95%CI 1.341-2.133, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in BE-CAP patients. ConclusionsBE-CAP patients have more serious hypoxia symptoms and higher incidence of respiratory failure. For BE-CAP patients with failure of initial treatment, complicated with respiratory failure, blood urea nitrogen>7.0 mmol/L, and albumin<35.0 g/L, treatment evaluation should be performed in time to reduce the mortality rate.